The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-11-15
A CONVICT AT THE THROTTLE.
A Railroad Engineer Tells of Ride He
Took with a Texas Sheriff

Railroad Engineer Tells of Ride He
Took with Texas Sheriff.
A number of the engineers who are attend
ing the convention were sitting in the billiard
room at the Palmer house, Chicago, says the
Mail of thai city. The conversation had taken
a reminiscent turn, and Robert ueriot, of
Little Rock, Arkansas related the following;
zone of the most notable cases OF reckless
bravery ! ever saw occurred on the sunset
r0ut in Texas in 1876. l was a conductor at
that time and had charge OF construction
train. Conyicts did all the work, and an
armed guard was stationed on each side of the
tract to keep them from escaping. There was
q big force Of the ConVicts-about 100 If L re-
member highland about fifteen guards.
among the Convicts was Texas sheriff.
who had been sentenced TO a term of two years
for beating q man TO death with six shooter.
AS il aiterward turned out, the shorih was also
a pretty good engineer. This sheriff and anoth-
cr convict had put up desperate plan of
escape. Some time during the morning they
managed to pull The pin between the engine
and The train. About noon, and at a given
signal, they dropped their shovels and made a
dash for the engine. They were in the cab and
had the throttle of the engine wide open before
a guard could fire a shot Chmnley and his
fireman were lying on the ground under the
shade OF Il tree, and the first Chumley knew
anything was wrong was when he heard her
exhaust. Quicker than | can tell it he was
dashing after the engine, and before she had
made over a turn or two he caught on behind.
lie climbed up on the tender, and, as he hung
with his hands over the top, was met by one of
tie Conyicts-not the sheriff, but the other one
who threatened to brain him with stick of
wood unless he dropped off. But Chumley
wouldn't drop. and he would have been killed
sure had not the sheriff taken his part. He
opened the box under Chumleys seat, where
Chumley had n six shooter took out the pistol,
and cooking it, told the other convict to drop
the wood or he would blow the top of his head
oil. Then he made the other convict help
ChUmley up, but made him stay back behind
the gmgway
while these things were going on Chumley
was between the conYiCtS and the guards. so
they did not dare tire their shotguns, and
moment later the engine was ont of range.
The il-conyiCtengmeer told Chumley
they would not harm him, but they
wanted liberty and would not be thwarted.
" on must think heap of this Old engine to
take the chances you did to board her. an
swered Chumley. and l didn't want 10 see her
SO into the ditch All this while the engine
WAS fairly dying. When CHUNKY said he didn't
WsiIt TO see the engine in the ditch the convict
smiled grimly and said: / can handle her rs
we'll rs You or any other man They ran the
engine few miles and stopped III the heavy
timber. The convict engineer thew her onto
a dead center. shook hands with Chumlev and
u moment later the two ConviCts disappeared
in the woods. Catch 'cm2 No, no. Chumley
ran her back to the train, and l tell you we
were glad when We saw her coming and knew
he was all right. Ever hear Of the conVictS
again? You bet l did. met the sheriff about
two years ago, He IS running q cattle ranch
and is rich and prosperous. and | wouldn't
/ gave him away, He knew me Mt once and
/ didn pretend 10 avoid me, but came right mn
/ and shook hands. lie inquired about Chum-
/ ley the first thing. wan; to live my allotted
( time, and don't think any man who sends
that man back 10 Jail two years would be alive
very long after he got out"